TOPIC: MATERIALS AND PROCESSES FOR COMPOST MAKING
A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS
- Dry leaves.
- Dry grass.
- Animal dung.
- Kitchen waste.
- Soil.
- Water.
- Wood ash.
- Shovel.
B: REFERENCE MATERIALS
- Scheme of work.
- Recommended Agric Sciences textbook for Primary 4.
- Online educational resources.
C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
The pupils learnt the meaning and importance of compost manure during the first term.
D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Explain compost manure.
- Name materials used for compost making.
- Identify materials that should not be used.
- State the importance of water and soil in compost making.
- Arrange compost materials correctly.
E: CONTENT
Meaning of Compost Manure
Compost manure is manure made from decayed plant and animal materials.
Materials Used for Compost Making
Suitable materials include:
- dry leaves
- dry grass
- weeds without seeds
- vegetable waste
- fruit peels
- animal dung
- soil
- water
- wood ash
Why the Materials Are Useful
Dry Leaves and Grass
They provide plant materials that can decay.
Animal Dung
Animal dung adds nutrients.
Soil
Soil helps introduce organisms that aid decomposition.
Water
Water keeps the compost moist. 💧 Compost should be moist, not flooded.
Wood Ash
Small amounts of wood ash may be added.
Materials That Should Not Be Used
Avoid:
- plastic
- glass
- metal
- stones
- chemicals
- nylon
These materials do not decay easily.
Arrangement of Compost Materials
Materials are usually arranged in layers. Example:
- Dry plant materials.
- Animal dung.
- Kitchen waste.
- Soil.
- Water.
The layers may be repeated.
F: LESSON PRESENTATION
F1: Teachers’ Activities
- Revises compost manure.
- Displays compost materials.
- Explains the usefulness of each material.
- Shows unsuitable materials.
- Demonstrates arranging compost materials.
- Explains the importance of moisture.
F2: Pupils’ Activities
- Explain compost.
- Identify compost materials.
- Separate suitable and unsuitable materials.
- Arrange materials in layers.
- Explain why water is added.
G: CONCLUSION
The teacher revises the materials needed for making good compost manure. The teacher encourages pupils to separate useful biodegradable waste from materials such as plastic and glass.
H: EVALUATION GUIDE
Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:
- What is compost manure?
- Name six materials used for compost making.
- State three materials that should not be used.
- Why is water added to compost?
- State one use of animal dung in compost.
- How are compost materials usually arranged?